NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature. The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.
Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.
| SPONSOR: | Lopez | DATE TYPED: | 02-04-00 | HB | |||
| SHORT TITLE: | Support of At-Risk Families | SB | 130 | ||||
| ANALYST: | Segura | ||||||
| Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||||
| FY00 | FY01 | FY00 | FY01 | ||
| $ 1,500.0 | Recurring | GF | |||
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Department of Health (DOH)
Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)
Human Services Department (HSD)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 130 appropriates $1,500.0 from the general fund to CYFD to establish a statewide program for low-income, at-risk families to include case management, health and nutrition assistance, education, substance abuse prevention, and employment services for pregnant women.
Significant Issues
The DOH Families First Program currently provides similar services to those proposed in SB130. Based on experience with Families First, DOH estimates that services for 6,000 women could be provided with this appropriation.
Low income, at-risk pregnant women require enhanced access to services and resources to improve levels of first trimester prenatal care and improved birth outcomes and health status of their infants.
CYFD currently provides some of these services for different population. The bill, if enacted, would expand the eligible population for these services.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
Senate Bill 130 appropriates $1,500.0 from the general fund and is recurring.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
Minimal impact to agencies.
TECHNICAL ISSUES
According to the Department of Health, "the term prenatal means that services would be provided for pregnant women only. It is recommended that the term be changed to "perinatal"
which would allow services to be provided after the birth of the child."
OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
The Department of Health indicates that by appropriating funds through SB130 to the Children, Youth and Families Department, a duplication of the Families FIRST Program would take place. State funds for a similar or identical programs would be more efficiently utilized by expanding program services through Families FIRST. Similar services provided by the DOH are provided at the current Medicaid Saluad! rate of $250.00. Funds to be appropriated by SB130 allow for only $61.00 per woman.
The legislation corresponds to the goals and objectives in the Department of Health Strategic Plan.
The CYFD indicates that through the community-based services contracts, the department currently provides children's behavioral health and domestic violence services throughout the state to low-income, at risk families. The funding in SB130 would expand the target-population to include pregnant women.
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
RMS/gm